Wazoo and Sprinkle Cookie Cereal

A few days ago I stumbled across an entry in a well known candy blog (can't find the link currently) about a baby blue colored candy bar! They're called Wazoos.



Online chatter said that the company that makes Wazoos, Topps, is bankrupt and that Wazoos are about to be discontinued. Also, that Wazoos are limited and can only be purchased online in cases of 24. I can't not find any reliable sources of info that says that. Anywhere.
Topps is still in business, and you can find Wazoos at their web site or in stores such as Toys R' Us.

They are two flavors-Wild Berries (or berriez?) and Blue Razz. I searched the candy asile at Toys R' Us today and found them! There was only two left of the Wild Berries flavor (the pastel purple colored bar).

They have a sort of white chocolate-y covering and fruit chewy filling. Yum yum yum! They also have "crunchies" (aka sprinkles) on top. I'd buy again for sure. Hopefully next time that I venture out to Toys R' Us, they'll have the pretty blue ones on the shelves.

Today, I went grocery shopping and was introduced to a new cereal by General Mills called Sprinkles Cookie Crisp. You're probaby already aware that General Mills produces a fabulous cereal by the name of Cookie Crisp.

This new cereal has vanilla "cookies" instead of chocolate. Plus sprinkles. I got a box of 12.2 oz for just $1.55! Hurry up to your grocery store before they raise the price to regular retail or if GM decides to abandom this new cereal.

Childhood Candy!

RetroJunk is a website where people can submit articles on things (usually pop culture related) they remember from their childhood.

I submitted a short article about Candy!

I should also mention that this site probably wouldn't exist if it had not been for the legendary X-entertainment.

Recent Netflix

Please Vote For Me
A documentary about three third graders in China elected to be candidates for room monitor. The students are introduced to the idea of democracy and each student will cast a vote for their choice of classroom monitor. The candidates deliver speeches, debate, and perform in a talent show.

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman
I wasn't into this show when I was young but I absolutely love it now! The show lasted for about seven seasons on A&E, filmed in the '90s. It's about a female doctor working in a small-ish town in the early 1900s. Well written with a lot of historical facts nicely tied into the plotline.

Sliders
A sci-fi show about a group of people who "slide" into parallel worlds. I'm watching the 4th season (the only season that I don't own at home). I love all the different worlds they slide into and visit. The special effects can be a bit embarrassing to watch though. Fun show overall!

The Time Machine
Early sci-fi movie. A professor (I think?) visits the world from the future. He steps into what seems to be paradise. Plenty of food, people have lots of time to be relaxing by the water. Then, a girl in the water, drowning and screaming. No one does anything. The professor saves her and tries to figure out why nobody cared or attempted to help her.

Books! Super Short Reviews

I'm just one year away from getting my license in elementary education. So, this summer I am going to spend ample amounts of time reading children and teen's literature! I also have a taste for weird books as well. I will reviewing the good books I've read from time to time in this here blog:

A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck
A girl (in 1937) goes down south to live with her grandma for a year. I loved this book-very unpredictable and funny.

Coraline by Neil Gaimen
(Just came out in theaters). I liked this book and I liked the ending in the book better. This book didn't have the little boy that tries to befriend Coraline, she doesn't fall asleep in the other house and wake up in her own house each night, and the two old ladies don't have a million stuffed Scotties (if I'm recalling accurately).

The Collection of Alison Dare, Little Miss Adventures by J. Torres (graphic novel)
A nice look at a different part of the world, while not relying on cliches but defusing them. A lot of vocab/foreign words that children might be unfamiliar with are introduced.

Autobiography of My Dead Brother Myers
Black characters in a city where gangs and poverty are present. Has pictures from the main character's sketchbook. The beginning and ending come full circle.

The Little Endless Storybook by Jill Thompson
This storybook is apparently based on Neil Gaiman's Sandman characters, which I haven't read yet (I'm putting basically the entire catalog of Gaiman on my summer reading list). I love, love Thompson's art! She also did a book called Magic Trixie, that's somewhat similar.

Days Like This J. Torres
A graphic novel on the rise of a girl group in the 60s (50s?). I love the Ronnettes, the Shirelles, etc. so I liked reading this :)

Bridge to Terabithia Paterson
A book about living in a small town, friendship between a girl and a boy and death.

What the World Eats Menzel and D'aluisio
Lots of photographs of families around the world and what they eat for a week, how much it costs, etc. Includes profiles on the families and a family recipe.

My Oscar Predictions

Just for fun, my Oscar predictions.

Actor lead
Mickey Rourke
2nd guess: Brad Pitt

Actor supporting
Heath Ledger
2nd guess Michael Shannon

Actress leading
Kate Winslet
2nd guess Melissa Leo

Actress Supporting
Taraji P. Henson
2nd guess: Marisa Tomei

Animated
Wall-e (no contest here, really)

Art Direction
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2nd guess: The Duchess

Cinematography
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2nd guess: Slumdog Millionaire

Costume Design
Australia
2nd guess: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Directing
The Reader
2nd case: Slumdog Millionaire

Documentary Feature
Trouble the Water
2nd guess: The Betrayal

Documentary Short
The Conscience of Nhem En
2nd guess: Smile Pinki

Film Editing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2nd guess: The Dark Knight

Foreign Lang. Film
Departures
2nd guess: The Class

Makeup
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2nd guess: The Dark Knight

Music (score)
Wall-e
2nd guess: Defiance

Music (song)
Slumdog Millionaire (either one that's nominated)

Best Picture
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2nd case: Slumdog Millionaire

Short Film (Animated)
La Maison En Petits Cubes
2nd Guess: Presto

Short Film (Live Action)
Oh, man this is a hard for me to decide. I'll go with:
Auf Der Strecke
2nd guess: The Pig

Sound Editing:
Wall-e
2nd guess: The Dark Knight

Sound Mixing
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2nd guess: Wall-e

Visual Effects
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight

Writing (adapted)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
2nd guess: The Reader

Writing (original)
Wall-e
2nd guess: Happy-go-lucky

Children's Picture Books Review

Now since I'm an elementary education major (emphasis in Communication Arts/Reading/writing/yadayda) as well as an avid reader, I will occasionally review books (children, teen, fiction, etc.) from time to time.

Today, I went to my local library, picked up two books I had on hold (I will most likely talk about those in a later entry, after I have read them of course) and then I went the kids picture book section and just grabbed a bunch of random picture books.

I grabbed about 7 or 8 hardback picture books but I only truly enjoyed four of them. The others that didn't make the cut were either boring, a little bit too weird, or had a not so very interesting or satisfying ending. I won't be reviewing the ones I didn't like :P



Blue Burt and Wiggles by Derek Anderson.

I grabbed this book because the cover looked kind of like it could be a dvd cover for a Pixar movie. On an interesting side note, the author/illustrator is from Minnesota (my state!)

The art and perspective is awesome in this book, I just love the artwork. I sometimes believe that the artwork can really make or break a picture book. A lot of the stories in kids' books are sometimes quite simplistic (obviously) about ordinary stuff, told in the same way as it's been told dozens upon dozens of times before.

While this story is about a friend moving away, it's told in a very creative, fun, new way.

This is a story about a bird (Burt) and his friend, Wiggles (worm). Winter is coming soon and Burt needs to fly away. They both scheme up a plan to make summer stay so therefore, Burt can stay and hang out with Wiggles. The way they scheme and plot and how the other animals in the forest unintentionally wreck havoc onto their plans is hilarious.

This is a very contemporary book and even the story would make a good Pixar short.

More picture book reviews later!

Future Etsy Purchases (AKA Shop Review)

picture from MoonsHarvest

Here are some awesome etsy stores where I will be making some future purchases:

Moon's Harvest (bath and beauty) is a mother/daughter operation located in Texas.

They have bubble bars, scrubs, bath bombs, "cupcakes" (Bubble Bar/Bubble Bath combo), and "Moonpies" (bubble bar). Their products are just so bright, imaginative, and look like deserts!
Their non-etsy website (here) is filled with even more bright and bubbly bath products: "marshmallows", butters, 10 oz bath bombs, and bling bath desserts (a milk bath, bath melt, and a bubble bar, all rolled into one bar).

The only thing that's stopping me from making a purchase right now from Moon's Harvest is that I'm expecting $100+ worth of bath and beauty products from Lush and Cocoapink this week.

What's your favorite handmade bath and beauty store?

My Etsy Purchases Part 1

I love ALL my etsy purchases. Here are some that are my most favorite-est:

picture from MartinsvilleEmporium

-Cinnamon apple peach soap by MartinsvilleEmporium. I discovered this shop when I received a Sample (homeofthesampler.com) and in it was a soap sample! I love handmade soap! I eventually went to their etsy shop, and ordered a holiday handmade soap sample pack. They included a small soap extra, cinnamon apple peach scented. I love this scent! I went and ordered a full bar. I see they don't currently offer this scent at the present moment :( but there's a good assortment of goodies available to purchase.

Picture from fizzypOpshoppe


-Pink TrenchCoat by fizzypOpshoppe. This was my most expensive Etsy purchase to date ($100) but soooooo worth it. I love this jacket, I've gotten a lot of compliments on it. AND it's one of a kind :) I randomly found this jacket on etsy and I couldn't stop thinking about all night when I went to bed. In fact, I believe I woke up extra early to buy it because I was sooo afraid someone else would take it away from me. This listing (click to see more pictures on this closed transaction) has a huge number of views and a whole ton of hearts (Something like 27, maybe?).

It's a fab jacket but right now it's too cold to wear in ChillyMinnesota. I can't wait for my state to defrost so I can start wearing it again! :)

-Pandora

I have a secret! AKA Ode to Misspelled Listings

Sometimes you find GREAT things if you purposely misspell keywords into the search bars of etsy or ebay or craigslist or where ever everyday people sell things.

For sellers: misspellings mean that buyers (most likely) won't find you but:
For buyers: you can great deals that no one else knows about!

Trying typing in what you're searching for wrong and see if anything pops up.

Also, sometimes sellers don't know everything they're selling (if it's vintage and/or used) and they may use a more descriptive title than use the actual name of the product (because they don't know it!)

I once found on eBay, a nice lot of about 20 or so vintage 80s charms for about $5 (which included shipping!) If you're even half a fanatic about those cute, cute charms, then you know what a rare find this is. The only reason why no one else outbidded me on this deal is because the seller labeled the listing as "Toy necklace" or something similar to that instead of "vintage 80s charms.